Concern for relative, advise please?

I am not being sarcastic.

I think that in many ways she is behaving badly, but in some ways you are behaving badly too. I don't see how she is mocking your beliefs, in what you say. She is saying what SHE believes, but that isn't the same thing as mocking what you believe. For instance, saying "God has done nothing for me" isn't mocking you. To say "You're stupid to think God does anything for you" is mocking you.

When you gave her a bible, do you see how that looks? It is saying "You should believe what I believe." If someone gave you a Book of Mormon or Koran, would YOU feel that you must read it and follow the advice it contained?

Well instead of running out, buying her a bible and (in her point of view) forcing religion in her face. You should have slowly talked into the situation. Easing in examples of Jesus and what he did, and showing how much good can come from having faith. But, since hindsight is 20/20 I will try see the situation from where it is. First, it appears that your relative is very upset in general about religion, like it failed her at some big issue. Second, depending on the age of your relative's age, it might change their perspective. If this is a teenager or young adult we are talking about, there are many more influences today that turn people of this age to atheism. Therefore you need to be careful when addressing this issue. I would also like to state that people without religion simply do not understand religion. Many athiests have preconcieved notions about religion and don't want to learn about Christianity, or any other religion for that matter. When you talk to this reletive, whether young, or old, make sure not to come off as 'pushy', or like a 'jesus freak'. This will just add to their shunning of religion and will turn them away even further. This person also seems to have little faith and at the moment seems depressed, or without god, and very emotional when you brought up the fact that your friend has cancer. Your relative seems to see the dark reality, instead of the light of god coming through.

-So overall, don't come off as a 'jesus freak' or too religious, that will just add to the persons preconcieved notions about people of faith.

Second, many athiests believe in science alone. But who says science and religion can't coexist?

Third, point out ordinary everyday things that we can thank god for. Don't do this all the time, but once in a while, lightly state how you thank god for the sun on this beautiful day...or something like that.

First of all, you are a good Christian to have your relative live with you in these hard times.

But regardless, she should be more considerate. I am in a somewhat similar situation to her, but I am a believer, I've been out of work for some time and live with my sister, I've always been Christian since childhood but had not been to any church in years.. I've been going to her church and church activities and have learned a lot.

But even if I did not believe what she did and did not want to attend her church or church activities, I would never act like that. She should just be grateful to you for your kindness. I will pray for you and her. Her response about your friend was cruel regardless of her beliefs. There are some very compassionate non-believers.

Frankly, if at all possible I'd show her the door, but you know the circumstances of her life, I don't.

Remember the passage in the bible: "If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts"? As a christian you should follow Christ. The only time He was really angry was when there was buying and selling in the Temple.

What you are doing for your family member is commendable. If I may give a word of adivce? - lead by example. Continue praying for her. Do not stop. God is listening and is working on her in His time - in His ways. "God's ways are not our ways." If you act in an unforgiving manner towards your relative, then how can you lead her to God?

In regards to the person who is now suffering with cancer - this is an opportunity for that person to draw closer to God. It is also an opportunity for God to show his Mercy, goodness and miracle healing power. Many are healed and some are left to "carry the burden" with Christ. In the bible He healed some and others not. Whether we like to admit it or not - God is in control. We need to have faith and trust in His Will for us. When we say to Him, "Thy Will be done", we cannot try and enforce ours. Christianity is a life of faith and trust.in God.

It also sounds as if your house guest is hurting. Have you tried reaching out to her? What is she mad about? Help her in this regard and others - and in doing so, you are breaching a gap, Be patient, trust in The Lord - wait and see the results of the prayer seed and patient seed you are planting. Be blessed.

You and she are both in the wrong. She should not have ridiculed your faith. (And since it's your house, you should have set the boundaries.)

But the manner in which you approached her about religion, and the way you gave her the Bible, were all demeaning.

And now, you can't even pray for her? What kind of Christian won't pray for someone they feel is lost? Forget about your relative's salvation for a minute... you'd better work on your own. You've got a telephone pole sticking out of your eye!!!!

The Bible says to plant the seed and let the Holy Spirit nurture it. The best thing that you can do is be a good witness by living your life acording to God's will. You will never debate or argue a person into being a christian. Just let Jesus's light shine though you and when God calls her then you can start talking to her about being saved. Don't caste your seeds in the wrnong place or the wrong season.

You are in our prayers,

Damon

This would be considered a "Hypertensive Emergency" . Your relative needs to get to an emergency room for immediate intervention. Aside from the obvious "stroke" and "heart attack" worries, a BP this high can also result in serious kidney impairment. There are also certain adrenal/pituitary tumors that can release intrinsic factors that will drastically elevate your blood pressure. Your relative needs to have a complete work-up to identify the source of the high blood pressure, but meanwhile they need to have it lowered and maintained to prevent further damage to body organs.

Well, there is the possiblity of telling her to respect your beliefs or get the frack out of your house.

I'd say "Look, you don't want to believe, that's fine. I'm not going to make you. But this is my house and you don't have a job, you aren't paying rent, you aren't paying for food. You are only here because I am performing an act of Christian Charity. So it might behoove you to stop mocking the only thing that is standing between you and sleeping in the gutter."

Once you get her to act respectful and polite, then you can work on if she wants to turn her life around.

It's pretty obvious her life is a mess, and yours is not. I'd venture to guess that her attitude is a big reason for that difference. Ask her if she wants to turn her life around. This is her chance, it may be her last and only chance.

Howdy!, Perhaps this experience is just as much for you as it is for your relative? Your friend has hardened her heart and she will need you to be strong in the Lord and be a witness and true to Him. Don't waiver in your spirt or words. Don't change or deviate from your origninal routine or personality. They usually use that against you, or they'll use anything negative to disprove our Lord.

One of the best things I like to use as evidence of God's existence and love for us is ME ! In every case that I've seen in support of God , the one factor that runs through us all is our postive persistance and attitude and success in our belief and life. I can show you many others just like me who can virtually show a total transformation in their lives because they believe, trust and love the God of the Bible. And even though many will attest that there may not now or yet be signs of great success in their lives, you'll find that in times like these they're still have great peace all around them and they cannot be rattled by the atrocities around them and in their own lives. It takes great patience and long study and wisodom in most cases to get to the point of being this confident.

The bottom line is, "Are you ready to face God right now? " If you can search your life right now and are certain that you have done all that you can, with the exception of knowing that we all sin, to allow you to be on the same path that God provided for us, you probably already have great peace in your life and others should be able to use that strength in their own lives!

Best wishes for you and you friend, and I will be praying for you beginning now!

Cajunboy

If you made the effort to show your relative love rather than push your beliefs on her, she might not have such a huge distaste for your religion. I realize that you don't see it this way, but you are probably equally combatant with her. She's challenging your faith because she doesn't believe in it, and throwing a bible at her and telling her to believe won't change a thing.

Pray for your relative. Don't pray that she get 'saved', pray that she finds peace, and rather than pushing your faith on her, show her the love in your heart.